Agenda item
Brimsdown House, Stanstead House, Newmill House and Stanborough House, Devas Street, London, E3 3LW (PA/11/01110)
Decision:
Update Report Tabled.
Councillor Marc Francis moved an amendment to the conditions seconded by Councillor Ann Jackson requiring that details of the plans for assisting vulnerable residents be submitted for approval. On a unanimous vote this was Agreed.
Councillor Ann Jackson moved a further amended seconded by Councillor Marc Francis regarding the completion of a correct usage plan to ensure refuse is properly discarded. On a unanimous vote this was Agreed.
On a unanimous vote the Committee RESOLVED
1. That planning permission be GRANTED to remove and de-commission the existing refuse chutes that exist within the four blocks and provide URS's (Underground Refuse Systems) to be installed in their place subject to the conditions set out in the circulated report.
2. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the matters set out in the circulated report and the additional condition in the update Tabled requiring that:
Details of the method for cleaning and disinfecting the URS’s to be submitted
3. That the following conditions be imposed requiring that:
- Details of the policy for assisting vulnerable residents be submitted for approval.
- Completion of a correct usage plan to ensure the proper disposal of waste and recycling.
Minutes:
Pete Smith, (Development Control Manager) introduced the report and tabled update report concerning Brimsdown House, Stanstead House, Newmill House and Stanborough House, Devas Street.
The Chair then invited registered speakers to address the meeting.
Councillor Rania Khan spoke in objection to the proposal. Whilst supporting the idea in principle, she had serious concerns about the operation of this system. Many of the residents of the flats opposed the scheme. 90/150 had signed the petition against. Many were also excluded from the survey. The staff on the ground believed it would not work. Whist they had held discussions with the elderly who may find using the system difficult, the Applicant had not come up with anything to help them especially during the bad weather. There were no lifts so disabled persons cannot use this system. Other blocs in Coventry Cross have conventional systems. This worked well so why change. There would also be a loss of parking and green space.
In reply to questions, Councillor Khan reiterated her concerns. The plans lacked an appropriate strategy for assisting vulnerable residents in using the system. The distance they would have too travel would be too great.
Mr Enamul Goni spoke in support of the application as the agent. He referred to the successful operation of similar schemes on other estates welcomed by residents. The benefits were numerous. All waste would be stored underground creating a cleaner, more hygienic environment and less problems with rodents. The bins would be well maintained and cleaned frequently. The plans included a support service to assist vulnerable people not able to reach the bins. He noted the challenges but believed that residents would appreciate the benefits in the long term.
Mr Goni then answered questions from the Committee. He stressed that the Applicant would consult residents to ascertain those in need of help in using the system. Details of the support services were included in the application, prepared following discussions with residents. It was intended that the residents would be sent letters detailing the support available. Poplar HARCA also had an Anti Social Behaviour team to deal with dumped rubbish which would be classified as such behaviour. There would also be a robust cleaning service in place with regular maintenance checks.
Beth Eite (Planning Officer) made a detailed presentation of the report and update. She explained the proposals showing photographs of the proposed underground refuse system (URS). The application was subject to public consultation generating responses in support and against. The main issues were the carrying distances to the URS’s, loss of car parking, pedestrian and highway safety and amenity. The scheme was considered acceptable on all these ground. It should also facilitate recycling and reduce the level of visible waste.
Accordingly, given the benefits and the success of similar systems, the application was recommended for approval.
In reply to Members, Ms Eite referred to the previous application withdrawn due to objections. A key difference now was the provision of the support service for vulnerable residents. The Committee were keen to ensure that details of this service were submitted for approval in writing and that this be drawn out as a specific condition. Accordingly Councillor Marc Francis moved an amendment to the conditions seconded by Councillor Ann Jackson requiring that details of the plans for assisting vulnerable residents be submitted for approval. On a unanimous vote this was Agreed.
Support was also expressed for a usage plan to ensure refuse were properly discarded and to facilitate recycling. It was anticipated that the Applicant would take steps to ensure this. Accordingly Councillor Jackson moved a further amended seconded by Councillor Marc Francis regarding the completion of a correct usage plan. On a unanimous vote this was Agreed.
On a unanimous vote the Committee RESOLVED
1. That planning permission be GRANTED to remove and de-commission the existing refuse chutes that exist within the four blocks and provide URS's (Underground Refuse Systems) to be installed in their place subject to the conditions set out in the circulated report.
2. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the matters set out in the circulated report and the additional condition in the update Tabled requiring that:
Details of the method for cleaning and disinfecting the URS’s to be submitted
3. That the following conditions be imposed requiring that:
- That the policy for assisting vulnerable residents be submitted for approval.
- Submission of a correct usage plan to ensure the proper disposal of waste and recycling.
Supporting documents: